Trainee teachers may face literacy and numeracy tests

Proposals to raise entry requirements for primary teacher training courses could be replaced with literacy and numeracy tests for applicants.

The alternative has been suggested by Professor Áine Hyland in a discussion document that will inform a review of how primary and second-level teachers are prepared for the classroom.

It has been requested by Education Minister Ruairí Quinn, who told the Dáil this month there is excessive and wasteful duplication, with more than 20 colleges providing dozens of courses.